STEPHEN  a  WEEKS 

CUSS  OF  1886;  PHD.  THE  JOHNS  HOPKINS  UNIVERSITY 

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Form  No.  470 


THE  UNIVERSITY  OF  NORTH  CAROLINA 


James  Sprunt  Historical  Monograph 


Minutes  of  the  Kehukey  Association 

(BAPTIST) 

With  Letter  of  Joel  Battle  Fort,  and  with  Introduc- 
tion and  Notes  by  Kemp  Plummer  Battle,  LL.D, 


PUBLISHED  BY  THE  UNIVERSITY 
1904 


No,  5 


THE    UNIVERSITY  PRESS 
CHAPEL  HILL 


INTRODUCTION. 


The  History  of  the  Kehukee  Baptist  Association  was  first 
published  in  1803  by  Elders  Lemuel  Burkitt  and  Jesse  Read, 
ministers  of  the  Gospel  in  Northampton  and  Halifax  Counties 
in  North  Carolina.  It  was  republished  in  1834  by  Elder  Jo- 
seph Biggs,  Pastor  of  the  Baptist  Church  at  Skewarkey,  under 
the  supervision  of  a  committee  appointed  by  the  Association, 
and  the  history  brought  down  to  the  later  date.  Neither  of 
these  volumes  contain  the  first  minutes  of  the  Old  Kehukey 
(or  Kehukee)  Baptist  Association  organized  before  the  Revo- 
lutionary War.  We  are  fortunate  in  having  procured  them 
from  a  descendant  of  one  of  the  early  members  residing  in 
Robertson  County,  Tennessee,  We  print  them  with  the  old- 
time  spelling. 

According  to  Burkitt  and  Read's  book  most  of  the  churches 
before  they  were  united  in  an  Association  were  "General 
Baptists",  adhering  to  Free-will  doctrines,  under  the  preach- 
ing of  Elders  Paul  Palmer  and  Joseph  Parker  and  their  suc- 
cessors. Then  the  Philadelphia  Baptist  Association  sent  two 
of  their  ministers,  Vanhorn  and  Miller,  of  New  Jersey,  to  visit 
North  Carolina.  They  and  their  followers  were  called  New 
Lights.  They  were  generally  cordially  received.  Those 
who  believed  in  their  doctrines  adopted  the  confession  of 
faith  published  in  London  in  1689,  containing  32  articles, 
the  foundation  of  the  Philadelphia  and  the  Charleston 
Associations.  By  means  of  these  ministers  the  greater  part 
of  the  North  Carolina  Baptists  became  Regulars.  The 
churches  thus  reformed  entered  into  the  Kehukee  Association 
in  the  year  1769.  Burkitt  and  Read  mention  as  members  some 
who  were  not  present  in  the  first  organization,  viz.,  Elders 
John  Thomas,  John  Burges,  William  Burges,  Charles  Daniel, 
William  Walker,  Thomas  Pope  and  Henry  Abbott.  Kehukee 
meeting-house  was  on  a  creek  of  the  same  name  in  the  south- 


4  James  Sprunt  Historical  Monograph 


eastern  part  of  Halifax  County,  emptying-  into  the  Roanoke. 

The  Kehukee  Association  is  composed  of  those  now  known 
as  Primitive  Baptists.  In  1826  those  known  as  Reformed 
Baptists  issued  a  circular,  which  was  referred  to  the 
churches  of  the  Association.  In  1827,  at  the  meeting*  of 
the  Association,  according-  to  Elder  Joseph  Biggs,  "it  was 
agreed  that  we  discard  all  Missionarj^  Societies,  Bible  Socie- 
ties and  Theological  Seminaries  and  the  practices  heretofore 
resorted  to  for  their  support,  in  begging-  money  from  the  pub- 
lic." *  *  "believing  these  societies  and  institutions  to  be 
the  inventions  of  men  and  not  warranted  from  the  Word  of 
God."  Non-fellowship  was  also  declared  against  joining-  the 
fraternity  of  Masons. 

The  first  State  Convention  of  those  who  are  sometimes 
called  the  Missionary  Baptists  was  held  at  *Greenville  in  1803' 

I  learn  from  Rev.  Pleasant  D.  Gold,  an  able  and  honored 
Elder,  or  preacher,  of  this  denomination,  that  the  first  Kehu- 
kee Church  was  about  three  miles  east  of  Scotland  Neck. 
About  fifteen  years  ago  the  old  house  was  sold  and  a  new 
church  built  about  one  mile  from  that  town.  There  are  now 
about  forty  churches  in  the  Kehukee  Association.  Eider 
Silvester  Hassell  is  the  Moderator.  The  territory  includes 
Nash,  Edg-ecombe,  Halifax,  part  of  Pitt,  Washington,  Beau- 
fort, Hyde,  Tyrrell  and  Pasquotank. 

Some  of  the  leading-  preachers,  or  elders  at  present  are 
Elders  Silvester  Hassell,  G.  D.  Roberson,  Samuel  Moore,  M. 
T.  Lawrence  (a  grandson  of  Elder  Joshua  Lawrence),  N.  H. 
Harrison,  Charles  Meats,  M.  B.  Willeford,  Jordan  Johnson 
and  J.  D.  Armstrong.  Mr.  Gold  is  not  a  member  of  this 
Association,  but  has  been  pastor  of  the  church  at  the  Falls  of 
Tar  River  for  thirty  years. 

The- Kehukee  is  the  oldest  Association  of  the  Primitive 
Baptists  in  North  Carolina  and  one  of  the  oldest  in  the 
United  States,  those  of  Philadelphia  and  Charleston  only 
being  older. 

Kemp  P.  Battle. 

*  In  the  charter  spelt  Greeneville. 


LETTER  FROM  !JOEL  B.  FORT. 


In  the  year  1789,  Elias  Fort  and  wife  Sarah,  with  his  sons 
William,  Josiah,  and  Sugg-  Fort,  Emigrated  from  Edgecombe 
Count}7,  North  Carolina,  Seeking  homes  in  the  then  unsettled 
far  West. 

Josiah  and  William  brought  their  families  with  them. 
Sugg  Fort  was  married  in  Tennessee  and  was  a  number  of 
years  and  until  his  death  a  Baptist  Minister.  In  the  separa- 
tion of  the  Missionary  Baptists  from  the  Primitive  Baptists 
which  was  occasioned  by  the  preaching  of  Eld.  Ruben  Ross 
who  came  from  Edgecombe  County,  N.  C.  a  short  time  after 
the  Fort  emigration,  Elder  Sugg  Fort  sided  with  Father 
Ross  and  preached  for  the  Missionary  Baptists  till  his  death 
in  1826. 

The  emigrant  company  in  1789,  when  they  reached  Knox- 
ville,  employed  Gen.  Andrew  Jackson  to  guard  them  and  pro- 
tect them  against  the  attacks  by  Indians  over  the  Cumber- 
land Mountains  and  as  far  as  Nashville.  Elias  Fort  and  his 
sons  passed  Nashville  and  settled  on  the  waters  of  Red  River 
near  the  mouth  of  Sulphur  Fork  Creek  where  the  village  of 
Port  Royal  now  stands.  They  entered  large  tracts  of  land, 
some  of  which  has  continued  to  descend  from  father  to  son  to 
the  present  time.  During  the  long  journey  over  the  moun- 
tains and  to  Nashville,  a  strong  and  lasting  friendship  was 
cemented  between  the  Fort  family  and  Gen.  Jackson.  Later 
on  in  1796,  William  Fort  and  Gen.  Jackson  met  as  Mem- 
bers of  the  "First  Constitutional  Convention  of  Tennessee" 
at  Knoxville,  and  old  ties  were  so  strengthened  and  confidence 
engendered  that  William  Fort  made  his  last  will  and  testa- 
ment naming  Gen.  Andrew  Jackson  as  his  executor. 

His  will  is  on  record  in  Minute  book  No.  1  in  the  County 
Court  of  Robertson  County,  Tennessee.    William  Fort  passed 


6  Jamks  Sprunt  Historical  Monograph 


away  before  "Old  Hickory"  became  the  hero  of  New  Orleans 
and  the  idol  of  the  Nation. 

Red  River  Church  was  organized  at  the  mouth  of  "Sulphur 
Fork  on  Red  River,  District  of  2Mero,  Tennessee  County  on  the 
5th  day  of  July  1791  by  Ambrose  Dudley  and  John  Taylor," 
Minute  Book,  Red  River  Church,  page  1. 

These  Baptist  Ministers  and  devout  servants  of  God  rode  on 
horseback  carrying-  their  scanty  wearing-  apparel,  Bible  and 
Hymn  Books  in  their  saddle  bags  along  the  Indian  trail  over 
the  plains,  through  the  unbroken  forests,  and  as  they  jour- 
neyed for  the  first  time,  the  hymns  of  praise  sung  from  fer- 
vent souls  echoed  through  the  primeval  woodland. 

On  April  27,  1794,  the  Minutes  of  Red  River  Church  show: 

"Received  Klias  Fort  and  his  wife  Sarah  by  letter  of  recom- 
mendation from  the  Baptist  Church  of  Christ,  near  the  falls 
of  Tar  River  in  Nash  and  Edgecombe  Counties,  North  Caro- 
lina." In  the  back  of  this  old  book,  sear  in  leaf  and  worn  of 
cover,  will  be  found  the  first  Minutes  of  Old  Kehukey  Baptist 
Association,  organized  before  the  Revolutionar}^  War,  with 
Klisha  Battle,  Elias  Fort  and  William  Horn  as  delegates  from 
Tar  River  Church.  The  Minutes  are  recorded  *each  year  till 
1777,  and  the  place  of  meeting  selected  for  1778.  But  no  more 
is  recorded.  It  is  to  be  presumed  that,  in  the  perilous  times 
when  the  infant  nation  was  fighting  for  life  and  existence, 
those  devout  people  found  little  time  or  opportunity  to 
assemble  and  worship  as  they  had  done  in  the  past.  After 
the  Minutes  cease  in  1777,  a  family  record  of  the  Fort  family 
is  found,  showing  that  the  book  fell  into  the  hands  and  safe 
keeping  of  that  family  and  was  thus  delivered  by  them  to  the 
first  Church  organized  in  Tennessee,  to  be  used  as  a  Minute 
book.  The  Minutes  of  said  church  are  therein  recorded  till 
1826.  My  correspondence  with  Dr.  H.  B.  Battle  revealed  the 
loss  of  this  much  of  the  history  of  the  old  Kehukey  Associa- 
tion which  I  cheerfully  supply.  I  have  the  old  book  in  my 
possession  and  am  careful  of  its  preservation.    The  copy  I 


*  Except  1775.   Sec  page  25. 


Jamks  Sprunt  Historical  Monograph  7 


furnish  is  an  exact  copy  of  the  original,  which,  if  as  interest- 
ing" to  those  who  may  chance  to  read  as  it  has  been  and  is  yet 
to  me,  will  entirely  repay  me  for  making  the  copy  for  Dr. 
Battle. 

Joel  B.  Fort. 

Adams,  Tenn. 

Mar.  21st,  1903. 


MINUTES  KEHUKEY  ASSOCIATION, 


NOV.  6th,  t769  TO  J777. 

The  Sixth  day  of  November  Anno  Domini  1769  A  Consid- 
erable number  of  Baptists  Ministers  and  Brethren  met  at 
Kehukey  in  the  County  of  Hallifax  and  province  of  North 
Carolina  to  Consult  about  the  expediency  of  An  Association 
and  the  Manner  of  Conducting-  it  to  the  advantage  of  the 
Churches.  The  issue  of  the  Meeting  was  adopting-  the  plat- 
form and  Sentiments  of  the  Philadelphia  Association  and 
thereon  forming  themselves  into  a  like  Body.  The  Churches 
that  incorporated  this  year  is  the  Church  at  Kehukey  in  Hal- 
lifax County,  the  Church  at3  Tossneot,  and  Tar  River  in 
Kdgecomb  County  and  the  Church  in  Bertie  and  the  Church 
in  Pitt  County. 

The  Sentiments  Concerning  an  Association,  that  such  an 
Association  is  useful  and  beneficial,  are  first  Union  and  Com- 
munion among-  themselves  Maintaining  more  effectually  the 
order  and  faith  once  delivered  to  the  Saints,  having-  advice  in 
cases  of  doubt,  helps  in  distress  &c. 

Secondly,  that  such  an  Association  is  consistant  with  the 
independency  of  particular  Churches  because  it  pretends  to  be 
no  more  than  an  advisory  Counsel,  Disclaiming  Superiority, 
Jurisdiction,  Coercive  right  or  infallibility. 

Thirdly,  that  an  Association  should  consist  of  Men  Know- 
ing and  Judicious  especially  in  Scriptures.  And  now  in  Con- 
currence with  the  above  Sentiments  We  whose  names  are 
hereunto  Subscribed  being  met  together,  as  we  trust  in  fear 
of  God  and  having-  a  desire  to  promote  the  glory  of  God  and 
the  good  of  his  Church,  We  have  unanimously  united  and 
joined  ourselves  tog-ether  in  an  Association. 


Minutes  of  Kehukey  Association 


9 


CHURCHES. 

Kehukey 
Bertie 
Tar  River 


Tossneot 
Pitt 


MESSENGERS. 

4John  Meg-lamore. 
Jessie  Andrews. 
Thomas  Witherby. 
5James  Abbing-ton. 
Epbram  Daniel. 
James  Vinson. 
John  Moore. 
6KHsha  Battle. 
Elias  Fort. 
'Wm.  Horn. 
8Jonathan  Thomas. 
Jeremiah  Robin. 
John  Nobell. 


PLAN  OF  ASSOCIATION. 


1.  The  Association  to  consist  only  of  Messeng-ers  Chosen 
and  Sent  by  the  Churches.  These  Messeng-ers  to  be  their 
Ministers  (for  reason  given  in  Sentiment  3)  together  with 
some  Judicious  brethren,  their  expenses  to  be  borne  by  the 
Churches  which  send  them. 

2nd.  With  the  Messeng-ers  the  Churches  send  letters  ad- 
dressed to  the  Association,  in  these  letters  mention  is  made 
of  the  names  of  the  Messeng-ers  and  their  authority  to  act  for 
their  Churches,  also  the  State  of  the  Church  touching-  their 
peace,  their  increase  by  Baptism  and  by  letters  dismission  and 
commendatory  from  other  Churches,  touching-  their  disminua- 
tion  by  death,  excommunication  and  dismission  to  other 
Churches,  and  the  present  number  of  members.  If  any  ques- 
tions are  to  be  put  to  the  Association,  any  advice  to  ask,  or 
any  business  to  propose,  these  are  to  be  expressed  in  said 
letters. 

3rd.  All  matters  to  be  determined  in  this  Association  by 
the  sufferage  of  the  Messeng-ers,  except  what  are  determin- 


10  Jamks  Sprunt  Historical  Monograph 


able  by  Scripture,  such  matters  are  never  put  to  the  decision 
of  votes.  All  that  speak  are  to  address  the  Moderator,  who 
is  to  take  care  that  none  are  to  be  interrupted  while  speak- 
ing-, and  that  no  other  indecorum  take  place. 

4th.  Churches  are  to  be  received  into  this  association  by 
petition  setting  forth  their  desire  to  be  admitted,  their  faith, 
order  and  willingness  to  be  conformable  to  the  rules  of  the 
Associated  body.  When  a  petition  is  read  and  matters 
ripened  for  a  vote,  the  Moderator  states  the  question,  suffer- 
age  being  given  in  favor  of  the  petition,  the  said  Moderator 
declares  that  such  a  Church  is  received  into  the  Association 
in  token  of  which  he  gives  the  Messengers  the  right  hand  of 
fellowship  and  bids  them  take  their  seats. 

5th.  The  Association  to  meet  annually  at  Kehukey  Meet- 
ing house  on  Monday  next  after  the  first  Sunday  in  August 
a»d  to  continue  till  business  be  finished,  it  is  to  be  opened 
with  divine  Service,  after  which  a  Moderator  and  Clerk  are 
Chosen,  the  letters  from  the  Churches  are  read  the  names  of 
the  Messengers  are  written  that  they  may  be  called  over  after 
Meetings,  then  business  is  attended  to  and  Minutes  thereof 
made.  A  circular  letter  to  the  Churches  is  made  and  signed 
and  a  copy  of  it  sent  to  every  Church  containing  the  Minutes 
of  the  association,  the  States  of  the  Churches  when  and  by 
whom  Services  are  to  be  supplied,  who  to  preach  the  next 
association  Sermon,  and  whatever  else  is  needful  for  the 
Churches  to  know. 

6th  The  faith  and  order  of  this  Association  are  expressed 
in  a  confession  put  forth  b}'  upwards  of  a  hundred  congrega- 
tions in  Great  Britain  in  the  year  1689  and  adopted  by  the 
Association  of  Philadelphia  in  1742.  Some  of  the  principles 
in  said  Confession  are,  the  imputation  of  Adam's  Sin  to  his 
posterity,  the  inability  of  man  to  recover  himself,  effectual 
Calling  by  Sovereign  Grace,  Justification  by  imputed  right- 
eousness, Immersion  for  Baptism  and  that  on  profession  of 
faith  and  repentance,  Congregational  Churches  and  their 


MlNUTKS  OF  KkhUKEY  ASSOCIATION 


11 


independency,  Reception  into  them  upon  evidence  of  sound 
Conversion  &c. 


Hallifax  County.  At  an  association  held  at  Kehukey  Meet- 
ing- House  the  6th  day  of  November  1769. 


CHURCHES. 

Kehukey 


Bertie 
Pitt 

Tar  River 
Tossneot 


MESSENGERS  PRESENT. 

John  Meglamore. 

William  Burg-ess. 

Jessie  Andrews. 

Thomas  Wethersby. 

James  Abbing-ton. 
.  Kphram  Daniel. 

Thomas  Miers. 

Jeremiah  Rohm. 

John  Nobell. 

John  Moore. 

Klisha  Battle. 

Klias  Fort. 

Wm.  Horn. 

Jonathan  Thomas. 


Received  as  assistants  to  sit  in  Ass'n  from  Fishing-  Creek  in 
*Bute  County,  Zachariah  Thompson  and  Laurance  Win  field, 
Jonathan  Thomas  Chosen  Moderator  and  Elisha  Battle  Clerk. 

Whereas  Charles  Daniel  Minister  being  charged  with  dis- 
ordely  Walking  has  this  day  by  the  consent  of  himself  and 
this  Association  Come  to  a  legal  trial  and  by  the  opinion  of 
said  Association  it  is  ordered  that  the  said  Charles  Daniel 
from  henceforth  is  suspended  from  communion  and  silenced 
from  preaching-  until  a  restoration. 


Hallifax  County.  At  an  Association  held  at  Kehukey 
Meeting  House  the  6th.  day  of  August  1770. 

*  Now  Warren, 


12  Jambs  Sprunt  Historical  Monograph 


churches. 


MESSENGERS  PRESENT. 


Tossneot 


Jonathan  Thomas. 
Moses  Baker. 
John  Meglamore. 
William  Burg-ess. 
Livy  Lancaster. 
Thos.  Wethersby. 
James  Abbington. 
Thos.  Miers. 
Jonathan  Carr. 
Jessie  Hart. 
Klisha  Battle. 
William  Horn. 
James  Wig-g-on. 


Kehukey 


Bertie 


Tar  River 


Rec'd  as  assistants  to  sit  in  the  Ass'n  from  Fishing  Creek 
Church  Bute  Co.  Zachariah  Thompson,  William  Allen,  Lau- 
rance  Winfield. 

Ques.  Who  was  Melchezedeck  according-  to  Hebrews  the  7 
Ch.  15  V's  ? 

Ans.    That  he  was  a  man  according-  to  our  Judg-ments. 

Ques,  Is  it  a  transgression  worthy  of  suspension  for  a 
church  member  to  buy  a  ticket  in  a  lottery  and  insist  upon  it 
being-  lawful  and  not  sinful  so  to  do  ? 

Ans.    It  is  unlawful  and  worthy  of  suspicion. 

Ques.  How  can  God  be  said  to  repent  when  he  is  unchange- 
able as  in  1  Sam.  15  and  29? 

Ans.  Gods  repenting-  in  Gen.  C.  6  we  understand  to  be 
meant  the  human  nature  of  Jesus  Christ  the  Son  of  God,  but 
in  1  Sam.  15,  29,  we  understand  to  be  meant  his  divine  nature 
which  cannot  repent,  alter  or  change. 

Ques.  Whether  God  did  decree  the  possibility  of  any  thing- 
that  never  did  nor  never  will  come  to  pass? 

Ans.    In  the  Affirmative  that  he  most  Certainly  did. 

Upon  reading-  a  letter  from  Charles  Daniel  directed  to  this 
Association  it  is  agreed  that  John  Meg-lamore,  William  Bur- 


Minutes  of  Kehukky  Association  13 


gess  and  Levy  Lancaster  and  Thos.  Overbj  be  appointed  a 
committee  to  prepare  a  letter  in  answer  to  that  of  the  said 
Daniel.  Ordered  by  this  Association  that  when  a  Minister 
is  to  be  ordained  the  Church  where  he  resided  shall  call  to 
their  assistance  two  ordained  Ministers  or  more.  Ordered 
that  John  Moore  be  appointed  to  preach  the  Ass'n  Sermon 
next  year. 

Hallifax  County  at  an  Association  held  at  the  Kehukey 
Meeting- House  the  5th  day  of  August  1771. 

CHURCHES.  MESSENGERS  PRESENT. 

Tar  River       .       .       .       John  Moore. 

Klias  Fort. 

William  Horn. 
Tossneot  .        .        .       Johnathan  Thomas. 

Moses  Baker. 

John  Thomas. 
Bertie  .       .       .       James  Abbingtcn. 

Thomas  Deans. 
Kehukey  .       .       .       James  Vinson. 

John  Meglamore. 

William  Burgess. 

Thos.  Oveby. 

Thos.  Wethersby. 

James  Bell. 
Pasquotank      .       .       .       Henry  Abott. 

Joseph  Creeper. 

Rec'd  as  assistants  to  sit  in  Ass'n  from  Wm.  Walkers 
Church  on  Fishing-  Creek,  Zachariah  Thompson,  Mathew 
Thomas,  Wm.  Cook,  John  Meglamore  chosen  Moderator, 
Klias  Fort  Clerk.  Henry  Abett  pastor  of  the  Church  in  Pas- 
quotank County  joined  himself  a  member  of  this  Association 
and  is  received  as  such.  Jonathan  Thomas  motioned  that 
the  general  conference  Book  be  read  and  as  many  of  the 


14  Jamks  Sprunt  Historical  Monograph 


Queries  adopted  in  the  Association  Book  as  can  be  universally 
received  by  the  Association.    The  same  is  granted. 

Ques.  How  doth  mankind  first  attain  to  the  knowledge  of 
moral  good  and  evil? 

Ans.    By  External  revelation. 

Ques.  Whether  the  commission  of  sin  or  the  omission  of 
duty  among-  professors  is  the  most  heinous  crime? 

Ans.  Sins  of  omission  or  commission  receive  their  aggra- 
vation from  Circumstances  &c.  and  therefore  no  general 
answer  can  properly  be  given  which  are  most  heinous,  but  we 
hereby  caution  Christian  professors  against  both. 

Ques.  Whether  it  is  lawful  for  a  woman  to  vote  in  con- 
ference or  not? 

Ans.    It  is  not. 

Ques.  Is  it  orderly  for  a  male  member  in  our  Churches  if 
he  finds  freedom  to  exhort  in  publick  or  not? 

Ans.  We  Judge  it  is  the  duty  of  any  person  who  looks  upon 
it  to  be  his  duty  to  exhort  his  fellowmen,  first  to  acquaint  the 
Church  with  his  desire  and  to  obtain  priviledge  of  the  Church 
for  that  purpose. 

Ques.  Whether  the  pastor  of  any  particular  church  may 
lawfully  leave  the  place  of  his  attendance  to  live  in  a  branch 
of  his  Church  distant  from  his  former  attendance? 

Ans.  A  pastor  of  a  Church,  that  is  so  for  a  limited  time, 
may  remove  any  where  when  said  time  is  expired,  But  if  his 
pastoral  charge  is  for  life  he  may  not  remove  without  the 
consent  of  the  people  he  was  ordained  over. 

Ques.  Is  it  orderly  for  those  called  regular  Baptists  to 
commune  with  the  9Separate  Baptist  Church? 

Ans.  We  esteem  it  our  duty  to  commune  with  any  Baptist 
Church  or  orderly  member  who  has  the  essential  of  Church 
Communion,  viz.  Those  whose  principles  in  fundamentals 
are  not  heretical  and  whose  practices  are  not  vicious. 

Ques.  What  is  meant  by  Christs  Second  Coming  which  is 
so  often  spoken  of  in  Scriptures? 

Ans.    It  is  his  coming  to  Judgement. 


Minutes  of  Kehukey  Association  15 


It  is  agreed  that,  an  Association  fund  be  established  and  be 
supported  by  voluntary  contributions  from  the  Several 
Churches,  the  sum  they  bestow  for ^ that  purpose  be  specified 
in  their  letters  and  sent  to  the  Association  by  their  Messengers 
and  We  appoint  William  Burgess  our  Treasurer  during  the 
Associations  pleasure.  On  motion  made  by  Jeremiah  Walker 
it  is  agreed  that  delegates  be  appointed  to  attend  the  Sepa- 
rate Baptist  Association  in  Virginia  and  by  a  private  poll 
held  for  that  purpose,  Jonathan  Thomas,  James  Abbing- 
ton  and  John  Meglamore  appointed  to  attend  said  Ass'n 
the  last  Saturday  in  Sept.  A  motion  made  by  Jonathan 
Thomas  for  an  occasional  Association  to  be  held  for  fur- 
therance of  business  to  intervene  between  this  and  the 
next  annual  Ass'n.,  it  is  agreed  that  an  occasional  Ass'n.  be 
held  at  Fishing  Creek  Meeting  House  in  Bute  County  the  3rd 
Saturday  in  November  next. 

At  an  Association  held  at  William  Walkers  Meeting  house 
on  Fishing  Creek  in  Bute  County  the  16th  day  of  Novem- 
ber 1771. 

CHURCHES.  MESSENGERS  PRESENT. 

Kehukey         .       .       .       John  Meglamore. 

William  Burgess. 
Thos.  Oveby. 
Nath'lTatum, 
James  Bell. 

Tossneot         .       .       .       Jonathan  Thomas. 

John  Thomas. 
Ruben  Hoge. 

Tar  River        .       .       .       John  Moore. 

Elisha  Battle. 
KHas  Fort. 
Henry  Horn. 

Received  as  assistants  to  sit  in  Ass'n.  from  Fishing  Creek 


16  Jamks  Sprunt  Historical  Monograph 


Church  Wm.  Walker,  Wm,  Davis,  Richard  Acock,  Francis 
Coppe,  Mathew  Thomas,  Zachariah  Thompson,  Wm.  Cook, 
Wm.  Solymon,  Wm.  Allen.  From  Burches  Creek,  Va. 
John  Creel.  From  Amelia  in  Va.  Jeremiah  Walker,  John 
Williams,  John  Meglamore  chosen  Moderator,  Jeremiah 
Walker  Clerk. 

Proceed  to  business  on  Monday  Nov.  18th.  1771. 

Ques.  Whether  the  fourth  Commandment  obliges  Christ- 
ians to  observe  the  Sabbath  in  as  strict  a  manner  as  it  did  the 
Jews  under  that  dispensation? 

Ans.  We  hold  and  believe  that  the  fourth  Commandment 
obliges  us  to  observe  the  Sabbath  as  a  moral  precept  and  not 
by  a  positive  New  Testament  institution. 

Ques.  What  is  to  be  done  in  case  a  Church  in  communion 
with  us  should  neglect  to  keep  up  a  strict  discipline,  according 
to  the  word  of  God? 

Ans.  When  a  member  of  any  Church  is  acquainted  with  a 
member  or  members  of  any  other  Church  in  Communion  the 
proper  way  to  find  whether  the  church  tolerates  such  members 
in  such  practices  is  to  deal  with  such  a  member  or  members 
in  Gospel  order  (if  the  difference  be  private)  or  bring  them 
before  the  Church  (if  publick)  and  if  the  Church  refuses  to 
Censure  such  a  member  or  members,  he  ought  to  inform  the 
Association  of  their  proceedings  and  if  they  continue  to 
indulge  such  offenders  the  Association  ought  to  expel  them 
from  Communion  and  Correspondence  and  if  they  belong  to 
any  other  Association  to  inform  the  Association  to  which 
they  are  joined  thereof.  Jonathan  Thomas  motioned  that 
the  Association  in  the  future  begin  and  business  proceeded  to 
on  Saturday,  that  the  Communion  on  the  Sabbath  be  better 
attended  to,  it  is  unanimously  agreed  on. 

Ques.  What  are  we  to  understand  with  respect  to  discip- 
line by  our  Saviour's  words  to  Peter  "I  say  not  till  Seven 
times  but  till  Seventy  times  Seven"  and  what  are  the  Symp- 
toms of  repentance  in  the  transgressor  on  which  this  forgiv- 
ness  is  to  be  founded? 


Minutes  of  Kehukey  Association  17 


Ans.  We  believe  that  our  Saviour's  words  to  Peter  shows 
that  the  times  of  forgiveness  are  unlimited  and  the  symptoms 
of  repentance  necessary  to  forgiveness  are,  An  ungenerous 
and  humble  acknowledgement  of  the  offense  making  the 
Confession  as  public  as  the  Commission  and  engaging  for  the 
future  by  Divine  Assistance  to  guard  ag-ainst  Sin. 

Ques.  If  a  member  of  a  Church  Commit  some  Scandalous 
crime  publicly  before  the  world  whether  it  is  according  to  the 
gospel  rule  to  reconcile  such  matters  in  a  private  manner  by 
a  few  of  the  members  of  the  Church? 

Ans.    Before  the  Church. 

Ques.  Whether  it  is  a  Ministers  duty  to  forbear  speaking 
to  open  or  vindicate  the  truth  in  any  matter  either  of  queries 
or  dispute  in  difference  for  fear  some  members  should  be 
prejudiced  or  offended? 

Ans.  No. 

Ques.  Suppose  a  number  of  Baptized  members  all  of  the 
female  Sex,  should  dwell  at  a  distance  from  any  other  baptist 
Society,  are  they  or  are  they  not  Justifiable  in  Meeting 
together  to  pray  and  edify  each  other  in  the  things  of  God? 

Atts.    They  are  Justifiable. 

Upon  some  consideration  the  time  of  holding  the  association 
is  altered  and  to  be  held  at  Kehukey  Meeting  House  annually 
on  the  Saturday  next  before  the  Second  Sunday  in  September. 

Halifax  County.  At  an  Association  held  at  Kehukey 
Meeting  House  on  the  12th.  day  of  Sept.  1772. 

CHURCHES.  MESSENGERS  PRESENT. 

Kehukey  .       .       .       William  Burgess,  Past'r. 

William  Bishop. 

Thos.  Oveby. 
Tar  River        .       .       .       John  Moore,  Past'r. 

Klias  Fort. 

Klisha  Battle. 

William  Horn, 


18  James  Sprunt  Historical  Monograph 


Sussix.Cor'd  Va. 


John  Meglamore,  Past'r. 
Nathaniel  Tatum. 
Nathaniel  Holt. 
Richard  Marks. 
Jonathan  Thomas, Past'r. 
Moses  Baker. 
Nathan  May. 
William  Walker,  Pastor. 
Richard  Acock. 
Joshua  Herring-,  Past'r. 
Major  Croom. 
Abraham  Baker. 
Zachariah  Thompson, 


Tossneot 


Fishing-  Creek 


Bear  Creek 


Brunswick  Co.  Va. 


Past'r. 

Jonathan  Thomas  Chosen  Moderator,  William  Andrews 
Clerk. 


Proceed  to  business  on  Monday  Sept.  14,  1772. 

The  following  ministers  petitioned  in  behalf  of  their 
Churches  to  join  the  Association  (to  wit)  Joshua  Herring-, 
John  Mag-lemore,  Zachariah  Thompson,  and  William 
Walker.  The  Said  Ministers  and  their  Churches  are  rec'd 
as  members  of  sd  Association,  Letters  from  the  Several 
Churches  read. 

Motion.  Is  it  legal  for  any  church  who  is  joined  to  an 
association  to  leave  the  same  and  join  another  association 
without  permission  from  the  former  or  not? 

Answer.  We  conclude  that  it  is  legal  nevertheless  it  would 
be  commendable  for  such  Ministers  and  Churches  if  oppor- 
tunity permitted  to  acquaint  such  Association  for  their 
design. 


Bertie 


15 


Lewis  Thomas. 
John  Bishop. 
James  Vinson. 


Pasquotank 


Isaac  Jones. 
John  Berry. 


MlNUTKS  OF  KEHUKKY  ASSOCIATION  19 


Ques.  How  many  delegates  shall  be  Judged  convenient 
for  one  Chnrch  to  send  as  members  to  an  Association? 

Ans.    Two  from  the  body  and  from  each  branch. 

Motion.  Is  it  thought  necessary  to  address  his  Excellency 
the  Governor? 

Ans.    It  is  thoug-ht  expedient. 

Ordered  that  the  following-  address  be  presented  to  his 
Excellency  the  Governor. 

To  his  Excellency  Josiah  Martin  Esqr  Governor  and  Com- 
mander-in-chief of  the  Province  of  North  Carolina. 

The  Humble  Address  of  all  the  Ministers  and  Elders  of  the 
Baptist  Society,  who  associate  annually  in  Hallif ax  County  in 
the  Province  aforesaid  in  behalf  of  themselves  and  many  hun- 
dred of  their  Brethren. 

It  is  with  unfeig-ned  pleasure  we  acknowledg-e  the  happiness 
with  which  we  are  blessed  in  Common  with  other  inhabitants 
of  this  Province  under  your  Administration  of  g-overnment, 
but  we  beg-  leave  in  a  more  particular  manner  to  express  our 
gratified  Sentiments  of  the  protection  we  enjo}^  in  exercise  of 
our  religious  and  civil  liberties,  for  which  it  is  our  duty  and 
shall  be  our  constant  endeavor  to  distinguish  ourselves  as 
loyal  Subjects  to  our  most  gracious  Sovereign,  and  useful 
members  of  Society.  We  hope  this  address  will  not  be  con- 
sidered for  a  customary  compliment,  but  a  tribute  of  acknow- 
ledgement due  to  your  merit  from  the  experience  we  have  had 
of  your  publick  conduct.  It  is  our  prayer  to  the  Almighty 
that  as  he  has  placed  you  in  a  most  distinguished  Station  he 
would  most  eminently  guide  and  direct  you  in  all  your  actions 
and  bless  you  with  prosperity  here  and  everlasting  happiness 
hereafter. 

Signed  at  our  Association  in  Hallifax  County  Sept.  17th. 
1772. 

Jonathan  Thomas,  Moderator. 
Elisha  Battle,  Clerk. 

We  appoint  our  Brethren  Jonathan  Thomas,  Henry  Abbot, 


20  James  Sprunt  Historical  Monograph 


William  Horn,  Elisha  Battle,   John  Thomas  and  William 
Burg-ess  to  present  this  address. 

To  which  his  Excellency  was  pleased  to  make  the  following- 
answer.  To  the  Ministers,  Elders  and  Brethren  of  the  Bap- 
tist Society  in  North  Carolina. 

Gentlemen: — I  received  with  pleasure  this  mark  of  your 
approbation  of  my  publick  conduct,  which  my  duty  to  my  Royal 
Master  calls  upon  me  to  make  as  much  as  possible  conducive 
to  the  happiness  of  his  Majesty's  people  in  this  Province. 
From  the  consciousness  of  steadily  aiming-  to  discharg-e  that  > 
duty  faithfully  I  derive  a  real  inward  Satisfaction.  The 
tolerating  Spirit  of  the  Brittish  Government,  and  the  Security 
it  gives  to  the  civil  and  religious  liberties  of  the  Subjects  are 
blessings  of  which  you  seem  to  entertain  a  just  sense  and  can- 
not be  to  highly  valued.  Your  intended  constant  endeavor 
to  distinguish  yourselves  as  loyal  Subjects  to  our  most  grac- 
ious Sovereign  and  useful  members  of  the  Community  are 
highly  commendable  and  will  be  certain  crowned  with  Suc- 
cess as  they  shall  be  properly  directed.  I  return  you  my 
hearty  thanks  for  your  pious  good  wishes  to  me  and  shall  hope 
a  continuance  of  them. 

Josiah  Martin,  Gov. 
Upon  some  consideration  the  Association  have  agreed  to 
meet  at  Kehukey  Meeting  House  in  Hallifax  County  and  to 
proceed  to  business  on  the  Saturday  on  the  first  Sunday  in 
August  Annually. 

Jonathan  Thomas,  Mod. 
William  Andrews,  Clk. 

At  Kehukey  Meeting  house  in  Hallifax  County  the  Asso- 
ciation Met  according  to  appointment  on  the  31st.  day  of 
July  1773. 

CHURCHES.  MESSENGERS  PRESENT. 

Tar  River       .       .       .       John  Moore,  Pastor. 

Elisha  Battle. 
William  Horn. 
Daniel  Ross. 


Minutes  of  Kkkukky  Association  21 


Kehukey 


Fishing-  Creek 
Tossneot 


Pasquotank 


Sussix  C.  Va. 


Bertie 


Brunswick,  Va 


Pungo  in  Va. 


Wm.  Burg-ess,  Pastor. 

Thos.  Ousby. 

Levy  Lancaster. 

Wm.  Walker,  Pastor. 

Jonathan  Thomas,  Past'r 

Moses  Baker. 

Nathan  May. 

Henry  Abbot,  Pastor. 

John  Wilson. 

Lem'l  Burkitt. 

Wm.  Lurry. 

Isaac  Jones. 

John  Meg-lemore,  Pastor. 

James  Bell. 

Nathaniel  Holt. 

John  Sturgeon. 

Wm.  Andrews. 

Shadrack  Baley. 

Wm.  Campbell. 

Wm.  Connor. 

John  Mc'Cabe. 

Zack  Thompson,  Pastor. 

Rollin  Williams. 

David  Borrow. 

Wm.  Ravies. 

Buckner  Lanier. 

Robt.  Lane. 

Augustus  Lane. 


John  Maglemore  Chosen  Moderator  and  Lemmel  Burkitt 
Clerk. 

Letters  from  Several  Churches  rec'd. 
Monday  Morning  August  2nd.  1773. 

A  regular  Baptist  Church  at  Pungo  in  princess  Ann 
County,  Virginia  by  a  letter  petitioned  to  join  the  Associa- 
tion, an  examination  rinding  them  to  be  a  church  well  regu- 
lated and  constituted,  agreeable  to  gospel  rules  and  order, 


22  Jambs  Sprunt  Historical  Monograph 


they  are  received.  The  present  State  and  Standing-  of  the 
aforesaid  Churches  is  as  follows. 


/"^I  XT  T  T  X?     XT  T7*  C 

TV/T  T  \T  T  C  T  T?  P  C 

Baptized 

Rec'd  by 
Letter 

Restored 

Dismissed 

Dead 

Excom. 

Members 

o> 

CO 

e 

o 
d 

9 
10 

5 
21 

Tar  River  

John  Moore  

7 
12 
10 
21 

2 

84 
63 
300 
100 

Kehukey   

Wm.  Burgess 



2 

Fishing  Creek 

Wm.  Walker  

5 

Tossneot  

Jonathan  Thomas 
Henry  Abbot  

a 

2 

Pasquotank  

Sussix  Co.  Va 

John  Meglamore. . . 
Minister  dead  

67 

10 

1 

187 

56 

Bertie  

Brunswick,  Va... 
Pungo  in  Va  

Zach.  Thomas 



100 



13 

5 

188 
76 

82 

Motion  made  for  circular  letters  to  be  sent  to  their  Several 
Churches  and  agreed  on. 

Ques.  What  shall  a  Church  do  with  members  when  they 
rent  themselves  off  from  her  without  just  cause  ? 

Ans.  That  the  Church  shall  publickly  declare  that  such 
members  have  without  just  cause  irregularly  rent  themselves 
off  from  the  Church,  and  that  whatsoever  offence  the  Sd. 
members  are  or  shall  be  guilty  of,  that  such  a  church  is  clear 
of  the  reproach. 

nQues.  What  shall  be  done  with  a  member  that  believes 
that  Christ  in  his  life  and  death  fulfilled  and  made  satisfac- 
tion to  the  law  of  God  for  all  mankind  ? 

Ans.  That  such  a  tenet  is  unscriptural  and  that  it  would 
be  prudent  in  Churches  having-  such  a  member  to  use  all  pos- 
sible means  consisting-  of  love  to  convince  and  reclaim  him. 

Ques.  Whether  a  Church  have  the  right  to  remove  a  Dea- 
con to  a  ruling  Elder  ? 

Ans.    Yes,  if  the  person  is  willing. 

Motion  made  by  a  letter  of  Correspondence  to  be  sent  to  the 
Philadelphia  Association  and  agreed  on. 


Minutes  of  Kehukey  Association 


23 


Motion.  For  some  method  to  be  taken  to  regulate  a  sister 
Church  in  Bertie  County. 

Answer.  It  is  agreed  that  the  delegates  of  the  Sd.  Church 
should  nominate  some  particular  Ministers  belonging-  to  the 
Association  to  attend  the  said  Meeting  house  and  to  receive 
'the  Members  by  experience  into  Church  fellowship,  accord- 
ingly they  Chose  John  Moore,  Jonathan  Thomas  and  Lemuel 
Burkitt. 

Motion.  That  a  letter  by  way  of  admonition  be  sent  those 
Churches  that  omitted  Sending  the  Association  on  account  of 
their  states  and  Standing,  and  the  Association  appoint 
Brothers,  Jonathan  Thomas  and  Lemuel  Burkitt  to  draw  the 
letter  in  behalf  of  the  whole. 

Ques.  A  Controversy  being  between  two  Brethren  being 
brought  before  the  church  and  the  Church  appoints  a  com- 
mittee to  Settle  the  matter  and  when  brought  to  trial  being 
under  bonds  to  abide  by  a  Christian  trial,  the  matter  being 
determined  and  then  part  of  the  Church  apprehending  the 
committee  being  misinformed,  gave  a  wrong  Judgment  as 
they  conceive  which  lies  on  them  as  a  burden,  what  shall  be 
done  in  such  a  case  ? 

Ans.    Have  a  new  trial  by  the  same  committee. 

John  Megeamore,  Modr. 
Lemuel  Burkitt,  Clerk. 

At  Kehukey  Meeting  house  in  Hallifax  County  the  Associa- 
tion Met  by  appointment  on  the  6th.  day  of  Aug.  1774. 

CHURCHES.  MESSENGERS  PRESENT. 

Tar  River        .       .  John  Moore,  Pastor. 

Klisha  Battle. 
John  Moore,  Jr. 
Henry  Hart. 

Kehukey  .       .       .       Wm.  Burgess,  Pastor. 

Stephen  Wesley. 
John  Mc'Cabe. 


24  Jamks  Sprunt  Historical  Monograph 


Fishing  Creek 

Tossneot 

Brunswick 

Pasquotank 

Sussix  Co.,  Va 

Sandy  Run 

Red  Bank 
Bear  Creek 


Wm.  Walker,  Pastor. 
Charles  James. 
Samuel  Thompson. 
Wm.  Mc'Greg-or. 
Charles  Ivey. 
Wm.  Andrews. 
Jonathan  Thomas, 

Pastor. 
John  Thomas. 
Moses  Baker. 
Zachariah  Thompson,  P. 
Peter  Lee. 
Buckner  Lanier. 
Isom  Reavis. 
Henry  Abbott,  Pastor. 
Joseph  Creecy. 
Isaac  Jones. 
R.  Harrison. 
Benj.  Wilson. 
Wm.  Constantine  Luton. 
John  Meg-lamore,  Pastor. 
Wm.  Andrews. 
John  Sturg-eon. 
Z.  Bell. 
Sha'd  Bailey. 
Lemuel  Burkitt,  Pastor. 
Mc'Allister  Vinson. 
James  Lassiter. 
Jessie  Williams. 
No  Pastor. 
Wm.  Traves, 
John  May. 
Pastor  not  present. 
Abraham  Baker. 


A  Church  in  the  lies  of  White  [Isle  of  Wight]  County,  Va. 
applied  for  admission  into  the  association  and  is  rec'd.  David 


Minutes  of  Kehukey  Associbtion  25 


Borrow,  Pastor.  A  Church  in  Craven  County,  Willis,  Pastor, 
also  applied  for  admission  and  is  rec'd.  A  Church  in  Gran- 
ville County,  Tar  River,  Ledbetter,  Pastor  made  application 
to  join  the  association. 


"  The  Proceeding-s  of  the  Association  in  1775  is  loste". 


At  the  Meeting-  house  at  Tossneot  in  Edg-ecomb  County  the 
Association  Met  according-  to  appointment  on  the  24th.  day  of 
August  1776.  Letters  being  read.  A  Clerk  and  Moderator 
was  chosen,  the  Association  adjourned  till  Monday. 


CHURCHES. 

Tar  River. 


Bear  Creek. 


Duplin. 


Tossneot. 


Kehukey 


Fishing-  Creek, 


MESSENGERS  PRESENT. 

John  Moore,  Pastor. 
Elisha  Battle. 
Elias  Fort. 
Jacob  Dickinson. 
Joshua  Herring-,  Past. 
Samuel  Peacock. 
John  Rows. 

Richard  Brown,  Pastor. 
Timothy  Williams. 
Joseph  Eason. 
John  Segrist. 
John  Thomas,  Pastor. 
Theophilus  Thomas. 
Moses  Baker. 
John  Staned. 
Ruben  Huse. 
Godfrey  Staned. 
William  Burg-ess,  Pastor, 
Solomon  Atkinson, 
Henry  Jones. 
Halifax  Co.     Thomas  Daniel,  Pastor. 
Jesse  Pope. 
Mathew  Raborn. 


26  Jamks  Sprunt  Historical  Monograph 


Johnston  .       .       .       John  Moore,  Jr.,  Pastor. 

William  Wood. 
John  Sanders. 

Fishing-  Creek,  Bute  Co.         Charles  James. 

Richard  Bennett. 
Nuse  River      .       .       .       James  Brinson. 
Craven  County         .       .       James  Willis. 
Sandy  Creek     .       .       .       Edward  Carlile. 

Wm.  McGregor. 

William  Solymon. 

William  Anderson. 
Pitt  County     .       .       .       Henry  Ellis. 

Georg-e  Williams. 


CHURCH 

PASTOR 

Baptized 

Rec'd  by 
Letter 

Restored 

Dismissed 

Excom. 

Members 

Increase 

|  Dead  1 

|  Under  Ding.  1 

Tar  River  

3 

3 

126 

2 

Bear  Creek  

Joshua  Herring  

... 

Duplin  

Edward  Brown  

23 
340 

34 
103 

76 
136 
140 

63 

63 

38 
1 
45 
51 
2 

2 

"3 
1 

Tossneot  

John  Thomas  

40 

2 

Kehukey   

Wm.  Burgess  

1 
47 
46 
13 



Fishing  Crk.  (Halifax) 
Johnston  

Thos.  Daniel  

John  Moore,  Jr  

Wm.  Walker  

5 
1 

"2 

"3 

11 

Fishing  Creek  (Bute) 
Nuse  River  

1 

Joseph  Willis  

Sandy  Creek   

12 

7 

1 
1 

Pitt  

The  Association  met  according-  to  adjournment  and  pro- 
ceeded to  business.  The  Church  under  the  Care  of  Edward 
Brown  Joined  the  Association.  The  Association  moved  to 
Moore's  Meeting-  house  3rd.  Sunday  in  Oct.  1777. 

At  the  Meeting-  house  on  Tar  River  in  Edg-ecomb  County 
the  Association  met  according-  to  appointment.  Letters  from 
the  Several  Churches  being  read  the  association  proceeded  to 
business.  First  John  Thomas  was  chosen  Moderator  and 
John  Battle  [son  of  Elisha]  Clerk. 


Minutes  of  Kehukey  Association 


27 


CHURCHES. 

Tar  River 


Tossneot 


Bear  Creek 
Duplin 
Kehukey 

Fishing-  Creek,  Halifax  Co 
Sandy  Creek 

Fishing-  Creek,  Bute  Co. 
Flat  Swamp.  Pitt  Co. 


Three  Creeks, 


Johnston  Co 


MINISTERS  PRESENT. 

John  Moore. 
Daniel  Ross. 

Emanuel  Skinner  [First 
Pastor  of  Red  River 
Church  in  Robertson 
Co.,  Tenn.]. 

Elias  Fort. 

John  Thomas. 

Aaron  Tyson. 

Wm.  Bond. 

Ephrm  Daniel. 

John  Staned. 

Abram  Baker. 

Wm.  Taylor. 

Joshua  Sikes. 

Joseph  Eason. 

Wm.  Burgess. 

Benjamin  Dukins. 

Thomas  Joyner. 

Hezekiah  Morris. 

Mathew  Rabun. 

John  Brown. 

Wm.  Andrews. 

Simon  Williams. 

Samuel  Thompson. 

Charles  James. 

John  Page. 

Godfrey  Staned. 

Nathan  Mayo, 

John  Moore. 

John  Sanders. 

Hardy  Sanders. 

James  Moss. 

Aaron  Sug-g. 


28  Jambs  Sprunt  Historical  Monograph 


CHURCHES 

MINISTERS 

|  Baptized 

Reed,  by 

Letter 

Restored 

Dismissed- 

Deceased 

!  Bxcom. 

Members 

Increase  1 

Undr.  Dlng.l 

Flat  Swamp  

John  Page  

1 

64|34 

103  27 

4 
3 

3 

O    \Jx  t5"rVto     ^  fJ  Willi  O  It  IJJJLy  . , 

Fishing  Creek  (Bute) 
Sandy  Creek  

.TnVin   TVTnnvo  TV 

Wm.  Walker  

10 

20 

9 

3 

3 

Fishing  Crk.  ( Halifax ) 

6 

2 

2 

4 

1 

101 

47 

1 

7 
1 

Kehukey  

Wm.  Burgess  

Bear  Creek  

Abram  Baker  

45 
230 
113 

Tossneot  

John  Thomas  

40 
1 

Tar  River  

John  Moore  

2  2 

4 

A  Church  in  Flat  Swamps  in  Pitt  County  (to  wit)  John 
Pages  petitioned  for  admission  into  the  association  and  was 
received. 

John  Moore  Sr.  moved  for  a  plan  to  be  fallen  upon  for  Mar- 
riage in  the  regular  Baptist  Society,  the  association  took  it 
into  consideration  and  appointed  John  Moore  Sr.,  John  Staned, 
John  Thomas  and  Nathan  Mayo  a  committee  to  draw  a  plan 
for  the  same.  The  Association  adjourned  till  Thuesday  20th 
day  of  October  1777. 

The  Association  met  according  to  adjourn't.  The  committee 
brought  in  the  plan  they  had  formed  for  Marriages  which  is 
as  followeth  (viz)  The  persons  intended  to  marry  shall  be 
properly  published  three  Several  Sundays  in  publick  congre- 
gation (or  parish)  in  the  County  (or  parish)  where  one  or  both 
of  the  parties  resides  by  the  Minister  (or  clerk)  of  some  regu- 
lar Baptist  Church  having  care  of  souls,  and  if  the  persons 
appear  in  order  for  marriage  the  Minister  shall  propose  the 
following-  questions  (or  to  the  same  import)  whether  they  are 
free  and  clear  from  all  or  any  other  preengagement,  and  shall 
lay  before  them  the  danger  and  ill  consequences  of  the  falce 
fying  of  any  former  engagement,  and  shall  inform  or  instruct 
them  what  the  great  end  or  design  of  the  Ordinance  or  Insti- 


MlNUTFS  OF  KFHUKKY  ASSOCIATION  29 


tution  of  Marriag-e  and  likewise  instruct  them  in  their  duty  to 
God  and  to  each  other,  that  they  may  live  so  as  to  answer  the 
end  and  design  of  that  ordinance  and  proceed  as  followeth 
(viz) 

To  the  man  N — Wilt  thou  in  the  presence  of  God  and  this 
Congregation  take  this  woman  to  be  thy  wedded  wife,  to  live 
together  after  God's  ordinance  in  the  holy  State  of  Marriag-e, 
to  love,  honor  and  Cherish  in  Sickness  and  in  health,  in  pros- 
perity and  adversity,  forsaking-  all  others,  keep  thee  only  unto 
her  so  long  as  you  both  shall  live  (the  man  shall  answer)  I 
will. 

And  then  to  the  woman  as  followeth  (viz) 

N — Will  thou  in  the  presence  of  God  and  this  congregation 
take  this  man  to  be  thy  wedded  husband  to  li  ve  together  after 
Gods  ordinance  in  the  holy  State  of  marriag-e  to  love,  honour 
and  obey  in  Sickness  and  in  health,  in  prosperity  and  adver- 
sity, and  forsaking  all  others,  keep  thee  only  unto  him  so  long- 
as  you  both  shall  live.  The  woman  shall  answer,  I  will. 
Then  the  man  shall  say  after  the  Minister  as  followeth  (viz) 
I.N — take  thee  N— to  be  my  lawful  and  wedded  wife  to  live 
together  after  Gods  ordinance  in  the  holy  State  of  marriage, 
to  love,  honor  and  Cherish  in  Sickness  and  in  health,  in 
prosperity  and  adversity  and  forsaking'  all  others  keep  me 
only  unto  thee  so  long-  as  we  both  shall  live  and  thereto  I 
plight  thee  my  troth  (then  likewise  the  woman)  IN—  take 
thee  N — to  be  my  lawful  and  wedded  husband  to  live  together 
after  Gods  ordinance  in  the  holy  State  of  Marriage,  to  love, 
honour  and  obey  in  Sickness  and  in  health,  in  prosperity  and 
adversity  and  forsaking-  all  others,  Keep  me  only  unto  thee 
so  long  as  we  both  shall  live  and  thereto  I  plight  my  troth, 
then  Joining  their  rig-ht  hands  together  the  Minister  shall 
say.  These  whom  God  hath  joined  together  let  no  man  put 
asunder  And  shall  pronounce  them  man  and  wife  in  the 
name  of  the  Father,  Son  and  Holy  Ghost,  Amen. 

Appointed  that  the  Association  be  the  Saturday  before  the 


30 


James  Srrunt  Historical  Monograph 


second  Sunday  in  October  1778  at  the  Meating- House  on  Fish- 
ing- Creek  in  Hallifax  County,  North  Carolina. 

[This  is  a  true  and  perfect  copy  of  the  minutes  of  Kehukey 
Association  as  now  recorded  in  the  book  now  in  my  possession. 

Joel  B.  Fort] 

NOTES. 

1  Joel  Battle  Fort  is  a  descendant  of  EHasFort,  and  William 
Horn,  "Messeng-ers,"  or  Delegates,  from  the  Tar  River  church 
to  the  Kehukee  Association.  He  is  also  descended  from  Elisha 
Battle,  the  third  messenger,  who  sometimes  acted  as  clerk 
and  at  others  as  moderator.  He  was  born  in  1854,  his  parents 
being-  Josiah  William  Fort  and  Eliza  Penelope  Dancy.  He 
is  a  missionary  Baptist,  a  prominent  lawyer  of  Tennessee, 
and  a  successful  manag-er  of  large  farming-  interests,  is  a 
graduate  of  Cumberland  University  at  Lebanon  in  Tennessee, 
and  served  two  terms  in  the  General  Assembly. 

2  Mero  District  in  West  Tennessee  was  named  in  honor  of 
the  Spanish  Governor  of  New  Orleans.,  who  favored  the 
traders  of  the  west. 

3  Tossneot  is  an  Indian  name  spelt  in  various  ways— Toes- 
not,  Toisnot.  There  is  a  swamp  of  that  name  and  a  creek 
running  from  it.  The  village  on  the  Wilmington  and  Weldon 
Railroad  called  Elm  City  once  was  known  as  Toisnot. 

4  John  Meglamore,  the  name  spelt  by  Burkitt  and  Read 
Meglamre,  probably  the  same  as  our  McElmore,  was  a  North- 
ern man.  He  had  the  pastoral  care  of  the  church  at  Kehukee. 
He  then  was  pastor  of  a  church  in  Sussex,  Va.  He  was  gen- 
erally 'moderator  of  the  Association.  He  left  the  Kehukey 
Association  and  joined  that  of  Portsmouth,  Va.  He  died  13th 
December  1799  in  the  70th  year  of  his  age. 

5  James  Abbington  was  from  Bertie  county;  was  addicted 
to  sporting  until  his  conversion,  when  he  became  a  pastor  and 
"a  Boanerg-es  in  preaching  the  Word."    He  died  in  1772. 

6  Elisha  Battle  was  born  in  Nansemond  county,  Va.,  moved 


MlNUTKS  OF  KkhUKKY  ASSOCIATION 


31 


to  Tar  River,  when  24  years  old,  was  often  moderator  of  Asso- 
ciations. He  was  a  Justice  of  the  Peace  as^early  as*vl 756 4 mem- 
ber of  the  General  Assembly  of  this  State  from  1771 ^ of  the 
Congress  that  formed  the  State  Constitution  -and  Senator 
from  Edgecombe  during- the  Revolutionary  period  and-  repeat- 
edly  afterwards.  He  was  also  member  of  the  Constitutional 
Convention  of  J  788,  which  postponed  the  adoption  of  the  Fed- 
eral Constitution,  and  was  often  Chairman  of  the  Committee 
of  the  Whole.  He  died  March  6,  1799,  in  the  76th  year  of  his 
age.  His  absence  from  the  Association  in  1777  was  because 
he  was  State  Senator. 

7  William  Horn  was  Colonel  of  the  County  inColonial^times. 
He  was  also  a  member  of  the  Congress  at  Halifax,  in  1776, 
which  adopted  our  State  Constitution. 

8  Jonathan  Thomas  was  a  native  of  Edgecombe.  His 
brother  was  John  Thomas,  and  he  had  a  brother  named-John, 
all  three  being  Baptist  preachers.  Jonathan  was  ordained  in 
1758,  and  was  much  revered.  He  had  a  peculiar  facility  in 
reconciling  apparent  contradictions  in  Scripture.  He  died 
early  in  1775. 

9  Burkitt  and  Read  state  that  "the  Separates,  or^Separate 
Baptists,  arose  in  New  England,  where  some  pious  men  left 
the  Presbyterian,  or  the  Standing  order,  on  account  of  their 
formality  and  superfluity.  1.  Because  they  were  too  extra- 
vagant in  their  apparel.  2.  Because  they  didf  not  believe 
their  form  of  Church  government  to  be  right,]  but-  chiefly 
because  they  would  admit  none  to  the  ministry,  only  men  of 
classical  education,  and  many  of  their  ministers  apparently 
seemed  to  be  unconverted.  They  were  then  called  Separate 
Newlights,  Some  of  these  were  baptized  and  moved  into  the 
Southern  provinces,  particularly  Elders  Shubal  Sterns  and 
Daniel  Marshall,  whose,  labors  were,  wonderfully  blessed  in 
Virginia,  North  and  South  Carolina,  and  Georgia."  *  * 
"  The  distinction  between  us  and  thenvL was" that  they  were 
called  Separates,  and  the  Philadelphia,  the  Charleston  and 
the  Kehukey  Association  were  called  Regular  Baptists," 


32 


Jamks  Sprunt  Historical  Monograph 


An  effort  was  made  by  the  Kehukey  Association  to  estab- 
lish fellowship  between  the  two  parties,  but  the  Separatists 
refused,  complaining-  that  the  Regulars  were  not  strict  enough 
in  receiving  experiences — that  the  Regulars  baptized  many 
before  they  believed — that  they  indulg-ed  their  members  in 
superfluity  of  dress— but  chiefly  because  they  held  persons  in 
fellowship,  who  were  baptized  in  unbelief.  These  were,  it 
was  claimed  in  reality  never  baptized  at  all. 

These  doctrines  brought  about  a  division  in  the  churches. 
Some  were  gathered  by  the  Free  Will  Baptists,  whose  custom 
was  to  baptize  any  who  were  willing,  whether  they  had 
experience  of  grace  or  not. 

In  October  1775  when  the  Kehukry  Regular  Baptist  Asso- 
ciation held  their  meeting  at  the  Falls  of  Tar  River,  a  fierce 
discussion  of  these  questions  was  had,  the  result  being  a 
division  in  the  Association. 

In  1786  the  two  Societies  united  on  the  basis  (1)  that  bap- 
tism of  unbelievers  is  not  valid.  (2)  Ever)'  church  member 
to  be  sole  judge  whether  he  is  baptized  in  unbelief.  (3)  Every 
minister  may  baptize  such  as  desire,  being  scrupulous  about 
their  former  baptism.  In  1790  owing  to  the  great  increase  in 
the  number  of  churches,  there  being  61  with  a  membership  of 
5,017,  and  also  the  distance  of  some  from  the  centre  of  the 
Association,  there  was  a  friendly  division,  42  churches  in 
North  Carolina  retaining  the  name  of  the  Kehukey  Associa- 
tion and  the  19  churches  in  Virginia  calling  themselves  the 
Virginia  Portsmouth  Association.  Means  were  provided  for 
keeping  by  interchange  of  delegates  friendly  intercourse  with 
each  other. 

10  In  the  early  years  of  his  office  Governor  Martin  endeav- 
ored to  ingratiate  himself  with  the  people  of  the  province. 
Being  the  servant  of  King-  Georg-e  it  was  inevitable  however 
that  the  harmony  should  be  disrupted.  Probably  every  man 
who  voted  for  this  friendly  letter  became  his  political  enemy. 
The  clerk  of  the  Association  was,  as  has  been  mentioned,  a 
member  of  the  war  Congresses  and  General  Assemblies. 

11  There  were  at  this  time  and  afterwards  vigorous  prosely- 
ting efforts  made  by  the  Universalists.  A  challeng-e  for  a 
joint  discussion  was  made  by  one  of  their  preachers  to  Elder 
Joshua  Lawrence,  a  Baptist  of  great  talent  and  force  of  char- 
acter. The  bulk  of  the  hearers  thought  that  Lawrence  had 
the  best  of  the  argument,  but  admitted  that  his  opponent  was 
gifted  with  oratorical  power. 


Gaylord  Bros. 

Makers 
Syracuse,  N.  Y, 
PAT.  JAN.  21,  1908 


JHB 


mm 
mm 

mam 


